Benefit cheat given curfew order

A benefit cheat who failed to declare she was living with her partner has pleaded guilty to benefit fraud.

Victoria Norbury, 27, of Olive Street, Heywood, fraudulently claimed Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to the value of £6,144.77.

The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit offence occurred between 04/04/2011 and 28/11/2011 and the Income Support offence ran from 01/04/2011 to 22/11/2011.

An investigation led by the council’s fraud team in partnership with the Department for Works and Pensions found that Ms Norbury had claimed benefits as a single parent whilst living with her partner.

Ms Norbury was interviewed under caution and admitted she had claimed benefits she was not entitled to as she was living with her partner who was in full time employment.

As a result of proceedings taken by the council’s Legal and Democratic Services team, Ms Norbury appeared at Bury and Rochdale Magistrates Court on 11 October 2012 and pleaded guilty to two offences of failing to declare a change in her circumstances under the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

A curfew order was imposed by the court, meaning Ms Norbury cannot leave her home from 7pm to 6:30am for three months. In addition she will have to pay prosecution costs of £540 and repay the £6,144.77 she defrauded from the council and Department for Work and Pensions.